Here are a few pointers if you’re new to this whole tea thing—tea experts, you can just move along, you know what you're doing. Discovering new teas and brewing methods can be an adventure! Let's begin...
Making Matcha:
Matcha is a bit of a different animal, it's a ground powder, so it mixes more like an instant drink mix than a tea, though sometimes it gets a little clumpy. Traditionally made using a bamboo whisk, you can sub in a spoon or fork if you don’t have any ceremonial accouterment on hand.
- Step 1- Add about 1 – 1 ½ tsp of matcha powder to a mug.
- Step 2- Add a little bit of hot, but not boiling water and stir vigorously (if using a whisk, make “W” shaped motions)
- Step 3- Add remainder of water and stir.
Loose Leaf Tea
In general, loose leaf tea is higher quality than the bagged variety, as the leaves are able to float freely in the water, dispersing the infusion more evenly throughout the water. Different types teas require different temperatures to taste their best, but in general, follow these guidelines and you’ll be ok. Boil water (naturally, filtered is optimal) and add either one tea bag to or 1-2 tablespoons of loose tea to filter or tea infuser.
Basic Brewing Time and Temp:
- Green: Not quite boiling (Approx 175 deg F), steep for 1-3 minutes
- Black: Boiling, (212 deg F) steep for 3-5 minutes
- Oolong: Boiling,(195 deg F) Steep for 5-7 minutes
- White Tea: Like green tea, just before boiling (Approx 185 deg F) Steep for 2-3 minutes.
